by David Schreiner

KSB Introduces Anticoagulation Clinic

KSB recently opened an Anticoagulation Clinic where pharmacists will manage patient therapy. An anticoagulation-trained pharmacist will work with patients and their physicians to manage warfarin therapy and to provide essential patient education.

Warfarin, also called Coumadin®, can be a life-saving medication for patients at risk of stroke or other harmful blood clots such as Pulmonary Embolism or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). As with all medications that “thin your blood”, warfarin comes with important precautions and the risk of serious adverse outcomes. Warfarin can interact significantly with numerous other medications, and its effects can be substantially altered by dietary changes. Additionally, there is considerable variation in the dose needed by patients, requiring frequent lab tests and dosage adjustments.

Patients who are presently taking warfarin or who develop a need for warfarin can be referred to the Anticoagulation Clinic by their physician. After an initial teaching visit, most visits will last less than 15 minutes, and patients will leave with their lab results, their dosage instructions and their questions answered.

Warfarin is a potentially life-saving therapy that comes with significant risks and requires much more attention than most medications. Dedicated patient education and monitoring are vital to safe and effective warfarin use. Research has shown that pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinics reduce complications and improve outcomes. The KSB Anticoagulation Clinic is a tremendous opportunity for our pharmacists to share their expertise, assisting your healthcare team in providing optimal care and an excellent patient experience.